Folding bed



(No Model.)

W. A. BROWN.

FOLDING BED. I No. 340,858. Patented Apr. 27, 1886.

lmmmnmmmmmlwa mm M/ Unrrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM A. BROIVN, OF LIGONIER, INDIANA.

FOLDING BED.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 340,858, dated April27, 1886.

Application tiled Ai1gust27,l$85. Serial No. 175,438. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, \VILLIAM A. BROWN, of Ligonier, in the county ofNoble and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Folding Beds; and I do hereby declare that the followingis a full, clear, and exact description of the ll1-' vention, which willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same,'reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and toletters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

My invention has for its object to provide an improved, novel, andsimplified construction of folding beds, whereby a permanent wardrobe orother similar article of furniture is provided upon the frontportion ofthe device and a folding bed upon the rear part thereof and myimprovements consist, essentially, of the details of construction andgeneral arrangement of parts, all as will be hereinafter fully describedand specifically designated in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a verticallongitudinal section of my complete invention with the bed in positionfor use, and Figs. 2 and 8 detail views thereof.

Similarlettcrsof reference occurring on the several figures indicatecorresponding parts.

In carrying out my improvements the main frame or body A is preferablycomposed of a high wardrobe or other similar-article of furniture havingthe side supports or frames, 13, extending a sufficient distance pastthe intermediate wall, O, to form a recess or compartment for thereception of the bed D in the back of the said wardrobe or other articleof furniture, as fully shown in the drawings.

The compartment located in front of the intermediate wall, C, may bedivided into the desired number of drawers, spaces, or receptacles, topresent the appearance of a wardrobe or toilet-case upon the frontportion, for which purpose the same is adapted for use at all timeseither in connection with or independent of the folding bed D. Thewardrobe or other similar article of furniture is surmounted with ahollow cornice, E, opening outwardly at the rear for the reception ofthe folding foot-board F of the bed D when the same is in a closedposition. The inner ends of the side rails of the bed D aresuitablyjournaled or pivoted in the lower parts of the side v frames orsupports, P, while the outer ends of said side rails are rigidly andsecurely connected to the upper half of the foot-board F, the lowerportion or legs of said foot-board being hinged or pivoted to the upperportion in such manner as to be readily folded over upon the same. Uponthe upper innerend of each of the side rails is provided a groove, (1,having an overhanging bar, 1), running parallel therewith, and uponwhich the looped outer end of the coiled spring 0, one on each side, isadapted to freely slide. Theiuner end of each of the springs c issecurely attached to the back of the intermediatewall, C, in such mannerthat the outer looped ends, working upon the bars I), have a tendency toautomatically raise the bed D up into a closed position in the recess inthe back of the wardrobe when not in use. The legs or lower portion ofthe foot-board F may be provided with suitable springs or snaplocks, tohold the same in 'a firm position when the bed is in position for use.The side rails of the bed are securely held in position by thefoot-board F and by cross-frames (I, located at suitable distances apartfrom each other, and is preferably provided with a wire mattress,securely attached in position upon the cross-frames (Z. The bottom ofthe bed thus formed may be covered with textile fabric or other suitablematerial to exclude dust when the bed is folded up, while the rear ofthe intermediate walls, 0, forming the head-board of the bed, maybesuitably carved or ornamented or covered with suitable textile hangingsor drapery. The mattress is adapted to be securely held in a verticalposition between the side rails when the bed is folded up by means .ofknotted cords c, which are sewed or otherwise secured to the one end ofthe mattress,and engagingwith a spring clamp or frame, f, secured to therear cross-frame, d. This spring clamp or frame f is composed of ametallic bar, secured at its ends to the said cross-frame d, and havinga central raised opening, f, for the reception of the knotted ends ofthe cord or tape, which are pushed through said opening, and then drawnin between the bar and the cross-frame, to hold the cords in place, asfully shown in Fig. 2.

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Two elongated strips, G, are pivoted at their one end beneath thewardrobe in such manner that their free ends may be drawn out, to afforda more secure bearing and support to the wardrobe or other article offurniture when the bed is suddenly or quickly drawn down for occupancy.

Upon the rear part of the side frames or supports, B, are providedsuitable latches or buttons, h, by which the bed may be locked or heldin a closed position.

I am aware that springs of various kinds have heretofore been employedto aid in folding the bed-frame of a folding bedstead, and do nottherefore claim such application broadly. By means of my improvementsthe loca tion of the spring 0 within the groove a upon the upper part ofthe rail obviates all danger of the spring becoming jammed in betweensaid rail and the side frames of the wardrobe scratching or defacing thewood-work prevented, and an ease of operation secured in the simplestand best possible manner.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and useful- 1. In afolding bed, the bed-frame D, having the side rails thereof providedwith the grooves a, overhanging rods 1), and coiled springs c, the outerends of said springs encircling said rods b,and adapted to move thereonto aid in folding the bed-frame, substantially as set forth.

2. In a folding bed,thespring-clamp f, consisting of a metallic barhaving its ends secured to the cross-frame d, and provided with acentrally-raised portion, f, terminating in elongated spaces betweensaid bar and crossframe (I for the reception and retention of theknotted ends of the cords e, to maintain the mattress in a verticalposition when the bedframe is folded up, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM A. BROWN.

\Vi tnesses:

D. E. Soo'r'r, E. \V. KNEPPER.

